Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Shannon's looking for ideas to beat the "Mom, I'm boooooooooored" blues this summer. Here's mine:Send your children on a scavenger hunt. Depending on their ages it can either be around the house (great for a rainy day) or around the yard or neighborhood, just make sure your kids know exactly where they can and can't go. We don't want little Charlie trying to walk to the mall to buy his way to victory.Give each child or group of children a list of items to find (or pictures if they can't read yet) and a bag to put them in. Set a time limit and send them off. The lists can be straightforward or convoluted. One mom I know used to devise riddles - the kids had to solve the riddles to figure out what they were looking for (clever, but since I'm severely riddle-challenged I'd find that a punishment, so we skip that bit). The first child/group back wins. You can get creative with the prizes too. They can be traditional prizes or even things like the right to pick the entire dinner menu for the night - including dessert of course!Happy scavenging.

I love scavenger hunts! We had one for my stepson's birthday party when he was 13. Took the kids to the mall, gave them each some money, and they had to follow riddles to the stores and buy a trinket that cost less than a buck (those were the party favors). That could be a fun activity...if Mom doesn't make it too much work on herself! Peace to you this day.

I loved your idea so we did a "Photo Hunt" today. Nick, Emily, Elijah and myself were each armed with a digital camera and a list of items to photograph (one for each letter of the alphabet). The kids had a great time with it. Nick and I will finish up tomorrow, and Olivia will do it with us (she shares a camera with Emily so she couldn't do it today).

Around the Island Photography

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Who? Where? What island?

No, not a tropical island. My kitchen island, where my life happens.
Fine art, nature and travel photography from around Israel and around the world, with a side helping of musings and family life from a mom of two just outside of Tel Aviv, Israel.